Catania, Sicily, Italy

Ah, Catania, the 'black city' made of volcanic rock.

I'll admit it was a struggle to take 'beautiful' photos in Catania. I've never seen so much grafitti in my life. Grafitti is everywhere, even in affulent countries, but this is a whole different level!

Also, Mount Etna had erupted a week before, and the city was covered in a layer of ash. But even if you removed the new ash, there are layers of built-up dirt.

But the Catanese just put up fairy lights and colourful umbrellas and eat, socialise, and enjoy their lives.

They seem a resilient lot. Even the mess of Etna doesn't seem to faze them. Nor does it take away their love of Etna. She protects them. And when she erupts, they say their crops are so much better from the minerals she releases.

As our guide said, sometimes Etna is calm. And, sometimes, she erupts... just like a Cantanese woman. 🤣

We enjoyed Catania. She's not immediately beautiful, but she has a great personality! 🤣Read more